Hi, ive been trying to perfect my basic sponge recipe, ive now got a wierd colaboration from many sources that gets a good result ( i use half custard powder and half cornflour instead of plain flour and start of with a bisic merang and then add the yolks and dry ingredients) I find my cakes taste slightly salty even though i have added no salt. Does anyone know what causes this and how i could prevent it? i have a hunch my bicard soda is old if that helps.

Nothing about that recipe sounds basic or normal. What is custard powder?

Custard powder is just that, powdered custard that you mix with liquid to make a custard (birds brand comes to mind if your from england).

As for your recipe mattymoo, since you havent added salt (and there is no salt in egg whites aka basic meringue, and no salt in corn flour that I know of, it must be your baking soda as you mentioned. Maybe try baking powder instead of baking soda.

I agree with Amber that it could be the baking soda. Too much soda leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. You might want to reduce the soda or replace it with baking powder (which has soda and tartar). If this doesn't work, omit the custard and replace it with cornflour.